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Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation, pain and swelling of joints in some people who have psoriasis. Other parts of the body may also be affected. For example, inflammation may also affect tendons and ligaments.

The severity can vary from mild to severe. In some cases, affected joints become damaged which can cause disability. Treatments include medication to ease pain, and medication to slow down the progression of the disease. Surgery is sometimes needed if a joint or tendon becomes badly damaged.

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. Psoriasis is a common skin condition which typically causes patches (plaques) of red, scaly skin to develop. Psoriatic arthritis is a particular type of arthritis that develops in some people who also have psoriasis.

Understanding joints

Normal joint

The place where two bones meet is called a joint. Joints allow movement and flexibility of various parts of the body. The movement of the bones is caused by muscles which pull on tendons that are attached to bone.

Cartilage covers the end of bones. Between the cartilage of two bones which form a joint there is a small amount of thick fluid called synovial fluid. This fluid 'lubricates' the joint, which allows smooth movement between the bones.

The synovial fluid is made by the synovium. This is the tissue that surrounds the joint. The outer part of the synovium is called the capsule. This is tough, gives the joint stability, and stops the bones from moving 'out of joint'. Surrounding ligaments and muscles also help to give support and stability to joints.

Who develops psoriatic arthritis?

About 1 person in 10 with psoriasis develops psoriatic arthritis. About 2 in 100 people develop psoriasis at some stage in their lives.

In most cases, the arthritis develops after the psoriasis - most commonly within 10 years after the psoriasis first develops. However, in some cases the arthritis develops much later. In a small number of cases the arthritis develops first, sometimes months or even years before the psoriasis develops. Men and women are equally affected.

Psoriasis most commonly first occurs between the ages of 15 and 25 and psoriatic arthritis most commonly develops between the ages of 25 and 50. However, both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can occur at any age, including in childhood.

Note: people with psoriasis also have the same chance as everyone else of developing other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is different, and is a particular type of arthritis that occurs only in some people with psoriasis.

What causes psoriatic arthritis?

The exact cause is not known. Inflammation develops in the synovium of affected joints (the tissue that surrounds each joint) and sometimes in other parts of the body such as tendons and ligaments. It is not clear what triggers the inflammation. It seems that the immune system is affected in some way which leads to inflammation. Genetic factors seem to be important, as psoriatic arthritis occurs more commonly in relatives of affected people. However, it is not a straightforward hereditary condition. It is thought that a virus or other factor in the environment may trigger the immune system to cause the inflammation in people who are genetically prone to it.

Which joints are affected in psoriatic arthritis?

Any joint can be affected. However, there are five main patterns of this disease. Affected people tend to fall into one of these patterns, although many people overlap between two or more patterns. The patterns are:

Asymmetrical oligoarticular arthritis

This is a common pattern and tends to be the least severe. 'Oligo' means 'a few'. In this pattern usually fewer than five joints are affected at any time. A common situation is for one large joint to be affected (for example, a knee) plus a few small joints in the fingers or toes.

Symmetrical polyarthritis

This pattern is also quite common. Symmetrical means that, if a joint is affected on the right side of the body (such as a right elbow), the same joint on the left side is also often affected. Polyarthritis means that several joints become inflamed, usually including several of the smaller joints in the wrists and fingers.

Spondylitis with or without sacroiliitis

This pattern occurs in about 1 in 20 cases. 'Spondylitis' means inflammation of the joints and discs of the spine. 'Sacroiliitis' means inflammation of the joint between the lower spine (sacrum) and the pelvis. Back pain is the main symptom.

Distal interphalangeal joint predominant

This is a rare pattern where the small joints closest to the nails (distal interphalangeal joints) in the fingers and toes are mainly affected.

Arthritis mutilans

This is a rare pattern where a severe arthritis causes marked deformity to the fingers and toes.

What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?

Joint symptoms

The common main symptoms are pain and stiffness of affected joints. The stiffness is usually worse first thing in the morning, or after you have been resting. The inflammation causes swelling and redness around the affected joints. Over time, in some cases, the inflammation can damage the joint. The extent of joint damage can vary from case to case. On average, the joint damage tends not to be as bad or as disabling as occurs with rheumatoid arthritis. However, joint damage can cause significant deformity and disability in some cases.

Inflammation around tendons

This is quite common. It probably occurs because the tissue which covers tendons is similar to the synovium around the joints. A common site is inflammation of the tendons of the fingers. Affected fingers may become swollen and 'sausage-shaped' if there is inflammation in the finger joints and overlying tendons at the same time. The Achilles tendon is another common site, especially where the tendon attaches to the bone. Various other tendons around the body are sometimes affected.

Inflammation in other parts of the body. Inflammation of the front of the eyes (conjunctivitis) and/or of the iris around the pupil (uveitis) are the most common examples. Rarely, inflammation can develop in other places such as the aorta (a main blood vessel) or lungs.

How is psoriatic arthritis diagnosed?

There is no test which clearly diagnoses early psoriatic arthritis. When you first develop symptoms of arthritis it can be difficult for a doctor definitely to confirm that you have psoriatic arthritis. This is because there are many other causes of arthritis. However, if you have developed psoriasis within the previous few years and then an arthritis develops, there is a good chance that the diagnosis is psoriatic arthritis.

In time, the pattern and course of the disease tends to become typical and a doctor may then be able to give a firm diagnosis.

Some tests may be done, such as blood tests and X-rays. These can help to rule out other types of arthritis. For example, most people with rheumatoid arthritis have an antibody in their blood called rheumatoid factor. This does not usually occur in psoriatic arthritis. (This is why psoriatic arthritis is described in medical textbooks as a 'seronegative' type of arthritis - that is, 'antibody-negative'.) Also, the X-ray appearance of joints affected by psoriatic arthritis tends to be different to that seen in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

How does psoriatic arthritis progress?

Once the disease is triggered, psoriatic arthritis is usually a chronic relapsing condition. Chronic means that it is persistent. Relapsing means that, at times, the disease flares up (relapses) and, at other times, it settles down. There is usually no apparent reason why the inflammation may flare up for a while and then settle down.

The amount of joint damage that may eventually develop can range from mild to severe. At the outset of the disease, it is difficult to predict for an individual how badly the disease will progress. However, modern medicines that are commonly used these days aim to suppress the inflammation in the joints and prevent joint damage.

What are the treatments for psoriatic arthritis?

The main aims of treatment are:

To reduce pain and stiffness in affected joints and tendons as much as possible.

To prevent joint damage and deformity as much as possible.

To minimise any disability caused by pain or joint damage.

Treatment aim 1 - to reduce pain and stiffness

During a flare-up of inflammation, if you rest the affected joint(s) it helps to ease pain. Special wrist splints, footwear, gentle massage, or applying heat may also help. Medication is also helpful. Medicines which may be advised by your doctor to ease pain and stiffness include the following:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines

These are known as 'non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)' and are sometimes just called 'anti-inflammatories'. They are good at easing pain and stiffness. There are many types and brands. Each is slightly different to the others, and side-effects may vary between brands. To decide on the right brand to use, a doctor has to balance how powerful the effect is against possible side-effects and other factors. Usually one can be found to suit. However, it is not unusual to try two or more brands before finding one that suits you best.

The leaflet that comes with the tablets gives a full list of possible side-effects. The most common side-effect is stomach pain (dyspepsia). An uncommon but serious side-effect is bleeding from the stomach (abdomen). Your doctor may prescribe another medicine to 'protect the stomach' from these possible problems. If you develop any of the following symptoms whilst taking anti-inflammatories, stop taking the tablets and see a doctor urgently:

Stomach (abdominal) pains.

Passing blood or black stools (faeces).

Bringing up (vomiting) blood.

Note: it is thought that some anti-inflammatories may make the rash of psoriasis worse in some people. Tell your doctor if you think that your psoriasis has become worse since starting an anti-inflammatory. An alternative anti-inflammatory or a different type of painkiller may be an option.

Painkillers

Paracetamol often helps. This does not have any anti-inflammatory action but is useful for pain relief in addition to, or instead of, an anti-inflammatory. Codeine is another painkiller that is sometimes used.

Steroids

An injection of steroid directly into a joint or inflamed tendon is sometimes used to treat a bad flare-up in one particular joint or tendon. Steroids are good at reducing inflammation.

Note: anti-inflammatories, ordinary painkillers, and steroids ease the symptoms. However, they do not alter the progression of the disease or prevent joint damage. You do not need to take them if symptoms settle between flare-ups.

Treatment aim 2 - to prevent joint damage as much as possible

Disease-modifying medicines

There are a number of medicines called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARDs are commonly used as early as possible after a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is made. They aim to suppress inflammation and reduce the damaging effect of the disease on the joints. They work by blocking the effects of chemicals involved in causing joint inflammation. Sulfasalazine and methotrexate are the most commonly used DMARDs for psoriatic arthritis; however, there are others.

DMARDs have no immediate effect on pains or inflammation. It can take up to 4-6 months before you notice any effect. Therefore, it is important to keep taking a DMARD as prescribed, even if it does not seem to be working at first. After starting a DMARD, many people continue to take an anti-inflammatory for several weeks until the DMARD starts to work. Once a DMARD is found to help, the dose of the anti-inflammatory can be reduced or even stopped. It is then usual to take a DMARD indefinitely.

Each DMARD has different possible side-effects. If one does not suit, a different one may be fine. Some people try two or three DMARDs before one is found to suit. (Some side-effects can be serious. These are rare and include damage to the liver and blood-producing cells. Therefore, it is usual to have regular tests - usually blood tests - whilst you take a DMARD. The tests look for some possible side-effects before they become serious.)

Some DMARDs also have a beneficial effect on reducing the rash of psoriasis.

Newer disease-modifying medicines

A new class of recently developed medicines modify the effect of TNF alpha. The chemical TNF alpha plays an important role in causing inflammation in joints and skin. Blocking the effect of TNF alpha has been shown to reduce damage to joints and to reduce symptoms. Medicines which modify or block the effect of TNF alpha include etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab. They show promise but their long-term benefits are still being evaluated. One problem with these medicines is that they need to be given by injection. They are also expensive.

Recent guidelines advise that etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab or golimumab should be offered as an option for treating adults with psoriatic arthritis when:

The person has arthritis with three or more tender joints and three or more swollen joints; and

When at least two other DMARDs, given on their own or together, haven't worked.

A different medicine called ustekinumab can be used if a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitor can't be used or hasn't been effective.

Treatment aim 3 - to minimise disability as much as possible

As far as possible, try to keep active. The muscles around the joints will become weak if they are not used. Regular exercise may also help to reduce pain and improve joint function. Swimming is a good way to exercise many muscles without straining joints too much. A physiotherapist can advise on exercises to keep muscles around joints as mobile and strong as possible. They may also advise on splints to help rest a joint if needed.

If such things as your grip or mobility become poor, an occupational therapist may advise on adaptations to the home to make daily tasks easier.

If severe damage occurs to a joint, joint replacement surgery may be an option.

Sometimes an operation is needed to fix a damaged tendon.

Other treatments

Some people try complementary therapies such as special diets, bracelets, acupuncture, etc, to help ease arthritis. There is little research evidence to say how effective such treatments are for psoriatic arthritis. In particular, beware of paying a lot of money to people who make extravagant claims of success. For advice on the value of any treatment it is best to consult a doctor, or contact one of the groups below.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for people with psoriatic arthritis?

The severity of psoriatic arthritis is variable and can be mild or severe. In about half of cases there is a progressive disease, eventually leading to loss of function in affected joints. However, symptoms can often be well controlled with medication. Because of the newer medicines, in particular the newer disease-modifying medicines, the outlook for a person who is diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis now is likely to be much better than it used to be.

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